Bulb adjuster



y 1,1930. G. H. oULTER 1,768,667

BULB ADJUSTER Filed May 15, 1925 Patented July 1, 1930 :P'FI I GUY H. COlLTLTER, F HIGHLAND PARK,'MICHIGAN, ASSIGN'OR To MONOGRAM LENS CORPORATION, A CORPORATION i BULB ADJ USTER "A lication filed May 15,

My invention relates to a new anduseful improvement in a bulb adjuster, adapted for adjusting the positioning ofa bulb relatively to the reflector withwhich used, so as to present means for properly focusingthe bulb, in Order to obtain most eflicient resiiltsfrom the use of the bulb with the reflector. i

In order to efl'ect the proper positioning of the bulb and to procure the proper focusing and the desired lighting effects, it is often necessary to adjust the bulb vertically relatively to the reflector, and to eflect a bodily movement of the bulb longitudinally of its neck, which, in this application, is termed axial adjustment. l I

Various devices have been provided for effecting this vertical and axial adjustment but in most of these devices, in order to effect the vertical adjustment, it is necessary to provide a vertically extending slot in theshell of the headlight, and it is one of thepurposes of the present invention, to provide a means for vertically adjusting the bulb without the necessity the shell. I,

Another object of the invention, is the provision of means for vertically adjusting the bulb by threading a screw onto a rocking arm, so that a bodily movement of the .working parts exterior of the shell is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision on a bulb socket of resilient means for engaging the reflector at the point through which the socket is projected, so that the use of a separate sleeve with a reflector is dispensed of, the resilient member, which engages the reflector, serving to prevent undue movement of the socket in the reflector.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for retaining the bulb in fixed relation to the socket, when mounted therein, so that the bulb is prevented from vibrating in its mountings,

Another object of the invention is the provision of'a collar on the bulb, which will prevent rearward travel of the lightraysfrom the filament of the bulb within certain limits,

so as to eliminate the glare which results from I the light rays traveling directly from the flla of the vertically extending slot in 1925. Serial No. 30,639.

ment and impinging upon the reflector adj acent its center.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a socket, adapted for receiving a bulb neck and having bayonet joint-s formed therein, out of diametrical alinement with each other, so that, in inserting the bulb neck into the socket, it is necessary that the insertion be made when the bulb isin a fixedfldefinite position relatively to the reflector. This is desirable particularly where two filaments are present in the bulb and thebulb socket is mounted to eflect the'proper focusing of the light rays emanating from a two filament bulb. In these bulbs. the filaments are g'en-.

sequently, it is desirablev to have some means for insuring the insertion of the bulb neck into the socket in a definite position, and to this end, I have provided a bulb neck having trunnions projecting therefrom, adapted for engagement in the bayonet joint of the socket, the trunnions being diametrically displaced, so that they are not positioned at diametrically opposite points onthe neck of the bulb.

Another object of theinvention is the provision of a sleeve adapted for use with are flectorthrough which the socket may be pro jected. This sleeve-may or may not be used but in the drawings and the description hereinafter set out, the sleeve is shown in one form and when this sleeve is used, the invention illustrated herein relating thereto is a veryefi'ective and desirable one.

It is an object of the invention relating to the sleeve, to provide means for retaining the sleeve on the reflector involving a minimum number of parts and yet, permitting the tilting of the sleeve relatively to the reflector to rmit the proper vertical adjustment of the ulb relatively to the reflector.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood from a reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the invention applied to a headlight, which is shown fragmentary, with parts in section,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a sleeve holding device, adapted for use with the invention, showing parts in fragment,

Fig. 4 is a sectional fragmentary view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a light bulb,

Fig. 7, is a sectional view taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

In the preferred form, as shown in the drawings, the invention is adapted for use with a vehicle headlight 9, having a rear wall 10 and a parabolic reflector 11. The reflector as shown in Fig. 7 is provided with an opening 12 having a slotted portion 13. Projected through the opening 12 is a bulb socket 14 of conventional type and provided with the usual bayonet slots for the reception of the trunnions which project outwardly from the periphery of the neck 19, which is carried by the bulb 18. Mounted on the socket 14, by soldering, welding or in any other desirable manner, is a resilientstrap 15, which is bowed, soas to be slightly spaced, throughout the major portion of its length, from the periphery of the socket 14, and adapted for engaging in the recess 13. The free end of the resilient strap 15 is angularly turned at 16, and its extreme end is flared upwardly as at 17. As clearly seen in Fig. 1, this resilient strap serves to press the socket 14 downwardly relatively to the reflector 11, so as to eliminate the vibration of the socket 14 in the opening of the reflector 11. At the same time, the socket 14 may be forcibly tilted relatively to the reflector 11, the tilting causing an approach of the strap 15 toward the socket 14, as will be readily understood.

As it will also appear from Fig. 1, the ex treme end of the strap 15 engages the neck 19 of the light bulb 18, so as to press the bulb neck 19 into close engagement with the inner surface of the socket 14, to prevent vibration of the neck 19 relatively to the socket 14.

Were the neck to be permitted to vibrate in the socket 14, a flickering of the light projecting from the reflector would result and the proper focusing of the light rays destroyed, or at least, somewhat altered. As shown in Fig. 1, the neck 19, which is generally provided with a metallic covering, is also provided with an opaque collar 20, adapted to extend around the base of the bulb 18, so as to prevent the light rays which travel rearwardly from the filaments 22 and 24, which are carried in the bulb 18 by suitable supports 21 and 23, from traveling rearwardly, so as to strike against the reflector 11, adjacent its center. It is desirable that these rays be prevented from striking the reflector at this point, in order to eliminate the glare, which would be apparent. This glare is an undesirable feature, and for the most efficient lighting purposes, should be eliminated.

As shown in Fig. 1, the filaments 22 and 24 lie in planes which are spaced apart and Iparallel to each other, the supporting mem er 23 being inclined to the supporting member 21, in order to displace the filaments 22 and 24 relatively to each other, as shown. hen bulbs of this class are used, for the proper focusing it is, as already explained, desirable that the filaments be positioned in a certain plane and it is apparent that, if the bulb 18 is rotated through one hundred and eighty degrees, the filament 24, instead of lying belowthe axial center of the neck 19, will lie above. The changing of the positions of these filaments will alter the focusing and have a considerable effect on the results obtained. To assure a mounting of the bulb neck 19 in the socket 14, so that the filaments 22 and 24 will always be positioned in the same position relatively to the reflector 11, I have provided, as shown in Fig. 6, a modified form, the bulb 18 having a bulb neck 19 from which project outwardly from its periphery trunnions 36 and 37. It will be noted that these trunnions 36 and 37 are not longitudinally opposite but are displaced diametrically relatively to the neck, so that the slot, into which the trunnion 37 may engage, will be formed closer to the outer edge of the socket 14, than will be the slot, in which the trunnion 36 will engage.

In Fig, 1, there is mounted upon the socket 14, by soldering, welding, or in any other desirable manner, at diametrically opposite points longitudinally extending supporting legs 25 and 26, each of which is provided, at its rearward end, with a respective longitudinally extending slot 25 and 26. Positioned between the legs 25 and 26, and journalled in openings formed therein, at its ends, is a nut forming bar 27, into which is threaded a screw 28, which is projected through an opening formed in the rear wall 10 of the headlight 9. Positioned upon the screw 28, in embracing relation, so as to engage, at one end, the nut-forming bar 27, is a coil spring 29, the opposite end of which engages the inner surface of a bight 30 of a U-shaped member, through which the screw 28 is projected. Ihe opening through which the screw 28 is projected through the bight 30 being an enlarged opening to provide play between these parts. The legs 31 and 32 of this U-shaped member are each angularly turned, inwardly toward each other, to provide the inward projections 31 and 32 respectively, said project-ions being adapted for engaging in the slots 25 and 26'. As shown in Fig. 1, these legs 31 and 32 are triangularly formed, the bight 30 being arcuate, as clearly seen in Fig. 1. Projecting outwardly from the bight 30 and preferably formed integral therewith is an arm 33, which is angularly turned relatively to the bight, and provided with an angularly turned portion, adapted normally to lie parallel with the rear wall 10. Pro jected through an enlarged opening formed in the arm portion 34 is a screw 34, which is projected through the rear wall 10 and threaded into a nut 35, the ends of which are provided with flanges 35 and 35 adapted to l V engage the edges of the arm portion 34, so

as to prevent turning of this nut 35 relatively to the arm portion.

The structure is such that, when it is desired to effect an axial adjustment of the bulb 18 relatively to the reflector 11, the socket 14 is moved bodily longitudinally.

This movement is effected by a threading of.

the screw 28. \Vhen it is desired to eflect a vertical adjustment, a threading of the screw 34 will effect a rocking of the legs 31 and 32. These legs will cause the socket 14 to be tilted relatively to the reflector, so as to move the bulb 18 vertically relatively to the reflector, this vertical movement, of course, being on an are, as the bulb pivots on the fulcrum of the socket 14.

In the form shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a sleeve 39 is projected through theopening formed in the reflector 11. The sleeve 39 is provided, adjacent one side, with longitudinally extending slots 40, at diametrically opposite positions, a pair of these slots being provided to accommodate the legs 25 and 26. Formed on the sleeve 39, at its inner end, is a flange 41, which, under normal conditions, is adapted to engage the inner surface of the reflector 11. Struckup from the sleeve 39 are radially projecting longitudinally extending lugs 42, a pair of these being preferable,

' and formed at diametrically opposite points.

In insertingthe sleeve into the reflector, the sleeve is inserted from the forward side of the reflector, the lugs 42 being projected through radially projecting openings 42' formed in the reflector 11. After the lugs are projected through the reflector, a slight turning of the sleeve will serve to lock the sleeve in assembled position on the reflector.

It is desirable that vibration of the headlight shall not effect a vibration of the reflector,

when in use, and to eliminate this vibration, I have provided a coiled spring 43, which is positioned on the sleeve 39 in embracing relation and adapted, at one end, for engaging the rearward surface of the reflector 11, and at its opposite end, a collar 38. The collar 38 is provided with recesses for accommo dating the legs 25 and 26 and also with ra dially extending recesses 44 for receiving the trunnions or pins 44, which project from the periphery of the sleeve 39. After the colla-r is mounted on the sleeve 39, a slight turning, so as to bring the recesses 44 out of alinement with the pins 44, will lock the collar on the sleeve.

WhileI have illustrated and described the preferred form of structure, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise form of structure shown, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as comewithin the scope of the appended claims.

WVhat I claim is 1. A bulb adjusting mechanism of the class described adapted for use with a headlight having a bulb, a casing, and a reflector comprising: a supporting member for said bulb; screw operated means for axially adjusting said member relatively to said reflector a U shaped member having triangularly formed legs and an arcuate bight in contact with L said casing; means for pivotally connecting said legs with said supporting member, said means being normally in the same horizontal plane with said screw; an arm projecting outwardly from said bight, an angularly turned portion on said arm; means for moving said arm and thereby rocking said bight upon said casing for effecting vertical adjustment of said bulb relatively to said reflector. v w

2." A bulb adjusting mechanism of the'class described, adapted for use with a headlight having a reflector and a light bulb comprising means for supporting said light bulb, a U-shaped member having an arcuate bight, there being an opening in said bight, means projecting through said opening for effectingaxial adjustment of said bulb relative to said reflector, an arm projecting outwardly from said bight, screw operative means con-' nected with said arm for effecting a rocking of said bight, and means connecting said bight with said supporting means whereby vertical adjustment of said bulb relative to the reflector is effected.

3. A bulb adjusting mechanism of the class described adapted for use with a headlight having a casing, a reflector, and a bulb comprising: supporting means for said bulb movably mounted in the apex of said reflector; axial adjusting means for said bulb; rockable means for vertically adjusting said bulb;

means to pivotally connect said axial adsaid last mentioned pivotally connecting means being between the rear casing and said first mentioned pivotally connecting means and normally lying in the plane of the first- 5 mentioned means and of the axial ad usting means.

4. In a lamp, a casing, a reflector mounted Within said casing and provided with an axial opening, a bulb support freely movable within said opening and adapted to carry an incandescent bulb in advance of said reflector, an adjusting screw disposed axially within said casing between said reflector and the back wall of the casing, a connecting member having the forward end thereof secured to i said support and the rear endthereof provided with a threaded bearing for the reception of the threaded shank of said screw, spring means for retaining said screw in its positions of adjustment, a member pivotally mounted contiguous to the rear wall of said casing and in horizontal alignment with said screw, the outer end of said pivoted member being associated with said bulb support to swing the latter vertically, a second screw engaged with a threaded bearing carried by said-pivoted member, and spring means for retaining said threaded screw in its various positions of adjustment.

5. A bulb adjusting mechanism of the class described having a casing, a reflector and a bulb comprising: supporting means for said bulb movably mounted in the apex of said reflector, axial adjusting means extending through said casing and engaging said supporting means, said axial adjusting means having a pivotal connection with said bulb supporting means, means for Vertically adjusting said bulb comprising a rockable memher pivotally connected to said bulb supporting means and extending bet-ween the same and the casing and normally lying in a horizontal plane between said supporting means and the casing, an arm secured to said rockable means and extending outwardly there from, and means extending through said casing for moving said arm toward or away from said casing to move said rockable means and effect vertical adjustment of the bulb. V

In testimony whereof, I have signed the foregoing specification.

GUY H. COULTER. 

